Marches by the Orange Order are an established fact of life in many parts of lowland Scotland, but plans for such an event in the north-east of the country have met massive opposition from local people.
My roots are in the west of Scotland. July in my childhood meant the school holidays and many an adventure with my younger brother and our pals. It was an idyllic time. But it had its dark side. July also meant marches by the Orange Order. I was brought up a Catholic and it was thought wise for people of my religion to steer clear of Orange marches. Then as now, the marches are to symbolise and promote Protestant supremacy.
In 1978, I took up a place at Aberdeen University, spending the next five years in the city. It was refreshing that not once was I asked my religion. I detected not a whiff of sectarianism. Had I been asked, I would have replied that I was an atheist, but such an explanation would have been pointless in the west of Scotland. “Are you a Catholic atheist or a Protestant atheist?” would have been the response. Then, 45 years ago in the west, sectarianism was still openly practised by employers, sports clubs, local authorities and, of course, famous football clubs. Things are greatly improved today, but sectarianism still stains Scotland.
Protestant supremacy
Nothing represents the idea of Protestant supremacy better than the Loyal Orange Order. Not surprisingly, Roman Catholics are barred from membership. Their Pope is regularly abused in song and swear word. At some Orange gatherings, all things Catholic are condemned as the work of the anti-Christ.
Now the Orangemen have applied to march in the coastal Aberdeenshire town of Stonehaven. Stonehaven, like its near neighbour Aberdeen, a few miles north, is today a cosmopolitan place, mixing long-established fishing and farming communities with North Sea oil executives and offshore workers and professors and lecturers from Aberdeen’s two universities. It’s a pretty, peaceful place, comfortable in its own skin.
Seemingly out of the blue, the Orange Order announced it has set up a new lodge in Stonehaven. It has applied to the local authority to hold a parade through the town on 16th March. It will have all the traditional flummery of Orange Walks. Marchers will wear the regalia of their lodge, flags and banners will be flown and all accompanied by the flutes and drums of an Orange band.
It is over twenty years since an Orange March was held in the northeast of Scotland. Then, it was Aberdeen’s turn, but hundreds in the city turned their backs, with others shouting that the marchers were not welcome.
“Poisoning” peaceful Stonehaven
Twenty years on, Stonehaven looks to be widely against the march being allowed to take place. A petition calling on the local council to refuse marching consent has already attracted 6,950 signatures at time of writing.
The petition’s organiser, Neil Young, told the Press & Journal the march would “poison” Stonehaven’s peaceful environment.
The petition says: “We have seen too often elsewhere how Orange Order parades foment a threatening atmosphere and can spill over into violence and abuse.
“This intimidatory practice cannot be justified on the grounds of freedom of expression.
“We urge all within the local authority, and local political parties, to use their power and influence to prevent this event.
“Put the peace, unity and welfare of our community first.”
Racism and sectarianism the enemies of society
In recent weeks, a number of prominent Conservative MPs have heightened racial tensions in Britain. Racism and sectarianism are the enemies of just, stable and peaceful societies. I’ve signed the petition asking Stonehaven’s elected councillors not to allow the Orange march. If you too want it banned, you can find the petition here.
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